Honouring the Women Who Served – A Tribute on International Women’s Day
Honouring the Women Who Served – A Tribute on International Women’s Day
Date: March 7, 2025
On International Women’s Day, we were honoured to visit the RAF Club in London, invited by The Taxi Charity for Military Veterans, to hear inspiring stories from two WWII female veterans: Dorothea Barron and Ruth Bourne.
Their courage, resilience, and determination reflect a generation of women who stepped up when the world needed them most.
Dorothea Barron: Courage and Commitment
Dorothea, now 100, served in the Women’s Royal Naval Service from 1942 to 1945. Despite initial setbacks due to her height, her determination saw her teach semaphore signaling and Morse code to troops preparing for the D-Day landings.
After the war, Dorothea faced employment challenges but went on to become an Art teacher, retiring only decades later. At 100, she remains active and fearless, taking flight in a Spitfire in 2024. Her advice for women today:
“I think women should be proud of themselves and their achievements... and leave the men to be proud of what they think they’ve done.”
– Dorothea Barron
Ruth Bourne: Codebreaker and Pioneer
Ruth, 98, was part of the Women of Bletchley Park, operating the Bombe machine that helped crack the Enigma Code. The secret nature of her work meant she only learned the full impact decades later.
Post-war, Ruth ran a launderette and pioneered flexible work arrangements, empowering many working mothers. Her words to today’s women:
“Press on regardless, that’s what we used to say in the war. Also, when one door closes, there’s always another one… you just have to look for the opening.”
– Ruth Bourne
Honouring Their Legacy Through VE Day Gin
At Distinct Distillers, we honour these incredible women with our VE Day Gin, distilled on our historic WWII site. £2 from every bottle sold is donated to the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans, supporting those who served.
Raise a glass with us to celebrate the courage of women past and present.
→ Discover VE Day Gin – A Spirit of Remembrance
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